February 16, 2013 09:30 PM CSTFebruary 17, 2013 12:17 AM CSTHeika: With Lehtonen sidelined, Dallas Stars' Richard Bachman goes from on the bubble to back in the crease

Heika: With Lehtonen sidelined, Dallas Stars' Richard Bachman goes from on the bubble to back in the crease

1/14

ROSS D. FRANKLIN / AP

THE BEST OF RICHARD BACHMAN: Dallas goalie Richard Bachman (31) makes a save on a shot by Phoenix's Shane Doan (19) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz.

Richard Bachman contends there was no moment of clarity, no stare-down in the mirror that resulted in him shaving off his trademark beard and changing his mask after a 7-4 defeat at the hands of the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.

He didn’t gaze into his soul and slowly drag the razor across his face, a symbolic gesture of a fresh start after a heart-crushing performance.

“I did have to shave slowly, because it was pretty thick,” Bachman said with a chuckle. “But that’s about as dramatic as it got.”

And maybe that’s the great thing about Bachman, who will get a chance to be the Stars’ No. 1 goalie while Kari Lehtonen recovers from a groin injury that will keep him out for at least a week.

Bottom line, Bachman doesn’t seem to need the drama to get himself fired up.

Bachman could have been an emotional mess after an awful performance against the Flames. He could have fallen apart when presented with the challenge of replacing Lehtonen in the first period Friday at Vancouver and then allowing three goals in 10 minutes. He could still be doubting his ability when the Flames come to American Airlines Center for a rematch Sunday afternoon.

But that’s not his style.

“We all have our strengths and deficiencies, and Bach’s biggest strength is that he can handle the pressure,” Stars goalie coach Mike Valley said. “He can shake off whatever happened and concentrate on the next shot. That really is the key to his game.”

Bachman bounced back from the shaky start in Vancouver on Friday to post a flawless third period as the Stars grabbed a 4-3 win that broke the red-hot Canucks’ six-game winning streak. It was the first victory this season for the Stars when Lehtonen was not in net, and it was a nice statement that Bachman can get things done at the NHL level.

After a great rookie season in which he had to fill in for Lehtonen for eight straight starts, Bachman, 25, earned a one-way contract in the summer. However, that blessing turned into a little bit of a curse when the NHL locked out the players, and Bachman had nowhere to play in the fall.

In the meantime, free-agent signee Cristopher Nilstorp was honing his game in the AHL, and earned the chance to start the season as the Stars’ backup when play finally began in January. Nilstorp played well in his first two games before injuring his groin, opening the door for Bachman.

Bachman lost his first start in a strong performance, then really hit the wall in the Calgary game. So the buzz started that maybe Nilstorp would take the backup spot and Bachman would be sent to the AHL.

With proper spacing, it appeared Lehtonen would play four straight games, and Bachman would have to sit on the loss for more than a week. There was every chance that Nilstorp could perform well, and Bachman would be shipped out in a week or so.

“That kind of stuff can drive you crazy, but that’s why you concentrate on the next shot,” Valley said. “That way you don’t let all of that stuff get into your head.”

Hockey fate is a funny thing, too. Instead of sitting on the loss, Bachman was tossed right back into the net. Instead of digging the hole deeper, Bachman started to dig out.

“I just got a little bit more comfortable, and the puck started hitting me,” he said of recording the win in Vancouver, his first since last March at the NHL level. “Some nights, the puck hits you, and some nights it doesn’t. I think you just have to believe in what you’ve been doing, and then stick with that. I mean, honestly, that [Calgary] game was over when it was over. You learn from it, but you forget it and move on.”

Just the same as he will forget the win in Vancouver.

Yes, he shaved his beard. Yes, he changed his mask (he said he was trying out a new mask and liked the fit at the morning skate). But Bachman said it wasn’t about offering gifts to the hockey gods.

“He’s not a superstitious guy,” Valley said. “That’s one of the things that really is a strength for him. He relies on his ability and his training, and he believes in those things when he gets on the ice.”

Lehtonen was placed on injured reserve Saturday, meaning he’s out at least a week. Nilstorp was recalled Saturday, so the puck seems to be on Bachman’s stick for the short-term.

“Next shot,” he said, with the stubble starting to return. “Next shot.”

To post a comment, log into your chosen social network and then add your comment below. Your comments are subject to our Terms of Service and the privacy policy and terms of service of your social network. If you do not want to comment with a social network, please consider writing a letter to the editor.